Ordinary working hours: 8 hours a day, 48 a week
The normal maximum working day is 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week, under the rules of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Travel time between home and work does not count as working time, except for exceptions set out in the regulations.
During the month of Ramadan, normal working hours are reduced by two hours a day, a rule that applies to all workers regardless of their religion.
Breaks and night work
No one may work more than five consecutive hours without a break of at least one hour, and that time is not counted as working time. In factories with rotating day and night shifts, the regime is adapted by regulation.
Hours worked between 22:00 and 04:00 are considered night work and are paid at a higher rate, as you will see in the next section.
Overtime: how much and at what rate it is paid
The company may request overtime, but with a daily cap of two hours, except in exceptional conditions set out in the regulations. In no case may total hours over three weeks exceed 144.
Each overtime hour is paid at the ordinary hourly rate plus a minimum surcharge of 25% on the basic salary. If worked between 22:00 and 04:00, the surcharge rises to 50%, except for shift workers.
Working on the weekly rest day or on a public holiday entitles the worker to a 50% increase on the basic salary; if not compensated with a day off, the surcharge reaches 150% of the days worked.
Weekly rest, public holidays and holidays
Every worker is entitled to at least one paid weekly rest day, set in the contract or internal regulations. Working that day triggers the surcharges in the previous point.
As for holidays, the law grants 30 paid days for each year of service. If you have been employed between six and twelve months, you are entitled to two days per month worked.
What this means for your company
The 48-hour week is longer than the European one, but overtime and public holiday surcharges are generous and are calculated on the basic salary, which in Dubai is usually a small part of the total package.
Before signing contracts with your employees in the Emirates, review how the salary is structured: separating the basic salary from other allowances completely changes what you pay for each overtime hour.
